AreaEuropean Union
Commodity GroupOilseeds, oils and meals
CommodityPesticide \'nicotinoids\'
Date01/05/2018
Policy CategoryOther
Policy InstrumentPesticide regulation
DescriptionBacked a proposal by the European Commission to further restrict the use of substances known as nicotinoids, with strict regulations expected to come into force by the end of 2018.
NotesEU Member States representatives backed a proposal by the European Commission to further restrict the use of three substances known as nicotinoids, for which a scientific review by the European Food Safety Authority found that their outdoor use harms bees (see also MPPU Feb. & June18). Nicotinoids have been widely employed in agriculture in particular in rapeseed cultivation over the past 20 years. The new restrictions go beyond the measures already in place since 2013, in that all outdoor uses of the chemicals will be banned. The regulation is expected to come into force by the end of the year. Individual Member States may grant emergency exceptions for restricted uses of the chemicals.
